Thirteen proved to be unlucky for the Muhlenberg womens basketball
team, as the Mules suffered their first loss of the season after 13
straight wins, 65-53 at defending Centennial Conference champion
Swarthmore.

The Garnet (13-3, 6-0) also took sole possession of first place in the CC
East with the win. The two teams play each other again at Muhlenberg on
Feb. 13.

Eighth-ranked Muhlenberg (13-1, 5-1) held a 19-13 lead midway through the
first half,
but then went cold from the field. Swarthmore went on a 16-0 run over an
eight-minute span, and although the Mules made two field goals in the
final minute of the half they went into the locker room facing a 29-23
deficit.

Muhlenberg closed to within one point on three separate occasions in the
second half, the last coming at 42-41 with 8:55 to go, but Swarthmore was
able to pull away. The Mules entered the game 10th in Division
III in scoring offense, averaging 78.5 points, but were held to a season
low in points.

Sophomore Becky Richmond recorded her team-leading fifth double-double of
the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Seniors Bill Holsinger, Tyler Cathey and Andrew Faust all extended their
winning streaks as the Muhlenberg wrestling swept a tri-match at Johns
Hopkins, defeating the hosts, 35-6, and Gettysburg, 32-12.

Muhlenberg (13-5, 3-1) has now won eight matches in a row, six of them by
20 points or more.

Holsinger recorded a pin and a major decision at 149 to improve his
perfect record for the season to 20-0. Only five of his wins have been by
regular decision; he has 10 pins, three majors and two forfeit wins.

Cathey scored a 3-0 decision against Johns Hopkins at heavyweight for his
29th
consecutive win in dual meet and his 60th career win overall. He has never
lost a bout to a CC opponent.

Faust (165/174) ran his winning streak to nine with a decision and a major
decision.
Junior Joe Salerno (157) also went 2-0.

Junior Nate Yeasted (141) had his winning streak snapped at 15 in the
Gettysburg match.

Junior Aaron Holden tied a career high with 20 points and senior Mark
Lesko recorded his third double-double in six days to lead the Muhlenberg
mens basketball team to its 10th straight win, 63-47 at home against
Swarthmore.

The winning streak is the ninth of 10 or more games in program history.

The Mules (13-3, 5-1) never trailed in the game, breaking away from a 4-4
tie with eight straight points and maintaining a lead of at least five
points the rest of the way. Muhlenberg held the Garnet (4-10, 1-4) to
32.8-percent shooting in keeping a Centennial Conference opponent under 50
points for the first
time in three years.

Holden scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half and was a perfect
8-for-8 from the line. Lesko finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds for
his eighth double-double of the season and the 27th of his career. The 14
points moved him into a tie with Dennis Roth (1954-57) for 12th place on
the Mules all-time scoring list with 1,250. He also blocked
two
shots to become
the programs career leader with 144.